Are you a follower of Jesus? If your answer is yes, what does that mean?

If often disturbs me when I hear a message that calls for those who have not yet entered into a personal relationship with Jesus to just follow him. I am concerned that there are many followers of Jesus who possess a false sense of security in being a follower when they do not possess the faith in Jesus Christ that brings salvation. Let me explain. 

When Jesus began his ministry on earth, he callled his disciples to follow him and become "fishers of men" (Matt 4:18-20). One of the twelve followers was a man named Judas Iscariot. Judas followed Jesus for the entirety of his ministry, witnessing the miracles he performed, the way he treated the poor and needy with kindness, and heard Jesus teach the multitudes about the kingdom of God. Although Jesus confirmed Peter's declaration, in the presence of all the disciples, that he was the Messiah, the Son of the Living God, Scripture never records Judas acknowledging Jesus as Lord, as did the rest of the disciples. He only called Jesus "Rabbi", acknowledging him as a great teacher. While the other disciples professed faith in Jesus as the Son of God, Judas remained silent. At the time of Jesus, many of the nation of Israel anticipated the coming of the Messiah, whom they believed would overthrow the Roman Empire and would rule over them. Judas expected to be among the ruling elite because of his association with Jesus. But when it became apparent that Jesus would not be the one to overthrow the Romans, Judas seized the opportunity for financial gain by betraying him, delivering him into the hands of the Pharisees who wanted to kill him. After his betrayal, he tragically took his own life, never acknowledging Jesus as Lord. Judas Iscariot was a follower of Jesus. But he was a follower who did not have in Jesus as Lord and Savior.