Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]; and walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.

–Parallel verses:
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭AMP‬‬
Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.

Imprinting is a type of automatic modeling that happens when kids follow and copy their parents behaviors. I watched a fun movie called Fly Away Home, where some baby geese, who lost their mother in Canada, thought a little girl was their mother. They began to follow and copy her as best they could.

We have a funny story in our family about how certain actions are seemingly automatically passed down from parent to child. My mom, when frustrated, used to give us “the finger”, this was a wag of her pointer finger (against her thumb) at us. My older sister does this too, though she doesn’t even realize it. When I was younger, I thought it was fun to try to get her to do this (pestering brothers:)).

On a more practical side, my dad taught me and my brothers how to work hard and complete jobs with thoroughness and excellence in mind. I have strived to pass on this attitude and knowledge to my kids, as well.

Paul, here, in Ephesians, tells us to follow the model of Jesus by walking “continually in love”. This involves using empathy, compassion, and putting others first. Just as well-loved children imitate their fathers, so too we should imitate our Heavenly Father.

Paul expands on this in Philippians and lists out more character traits that go along with following Jesus’ model in life. And he says something interesting: “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.” (‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:9‬) ‭So Paul imitated God and Jesus, and we can imitate Paul and his approach to imitating God and Jesus too.

If we strive to be an imitator of Jesus, then our actions and words and motives will become a sweet offering to God. And the God of Peace will be with us.

Lord, teach me to continually love as you love and to imitate your actions and ways. I want to grow more and more like you every day!