How can you know if someone is a follower of Jesus?

Answers to this question have split churches, destroyed friendships, and divided seminaries.

Some believe that to follow Jesus you must only sign a creed or say a prayer. Others insist that following Jesus requires following a set of rules such as the Ten Commandments or a denominational Code of Conduct. Still others argue that following Jesus is best accomplished in a building at a certain time of week when certain activities take place, while others say that following Jesus means leaving our buildings and going to places where Jesus would go, such as to the poor and homeless.

Rather than take sides, let me suggest something different.

When it comes to the question of who is truly a follower of Jesus, I believe that everyone is following Jesus. Every man, woman, and child on this earth, whether they subscribe to some version of Christianity or not, is following Jesus.

No, I do not believe everyone is "saved" (whatever that means to you). I am not  a universalist.

Someone can be a follower of Jesus, but not have eternal life. Remember that when Jesus walked this earth during His three years of ministry, there were many people who followed Him, but did not believe in Him for eternal life. Even one of His closest disciples, who followed Him for three years, watched His miracles, listened to His teachings, and spent many hours observing and learning from Jesus, ended up being the "son of perdition" (John 17:12).