I would like Paladins to be Warrior-Clerics, serving specific Deities.
Thats why Multiclassing is for! You can dip into cleric for your deity choice.
True, but ... make a Cleric, with Soldier Background, at 4th level pick Weapon Master ...
If happy with a Simple Weapon (
Kargul pokey holes wiff speer!! For Gruumsh! WAAAGH! or
Galadrielette splatter brain matter for Corellon Larethian!*), then some other combat related feat.
You could even pick Life Domain for the HA, explaining the higher efficiency of Healing Spells not by being dedicated to Life, but by having special training in their application, as such spells doubtlessly will be useful for a Cleric often in harm's way ...
Well, such a character can be perceived as
dedicated to life - their own and possibly their minions/meatshields/combat buddies :P
The above is without changing anything in BG3.
*Corellon's Grace is a thing
