doct25 Jesus is our Moral Pattern explains how “receiving Jesus” also means being like Jesus in our moral character. We “follow God” as His children.
Jesus is our Moral Pattern
[doct25] v1.1 ©2014
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Eph 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
The Bible is very clear, that the character of God is very different from what we commonly see in humanity (He is holy, He is separate), and it seeks to convert our character from sin (things outside His will) to a character which is like God. Salvation is a matter contending with our sin (which is a form of living which displeases God), and this salvation is a process whereby God totally changes those sinful elements, and imposes a different moral character.
The Bible speaks much of this “other moral character” (it is righteousness) that opposes this sinful conduct. Many groups see this as “perfection” or “holiness”. But it is only a part of salvation, which should occur after we have understood salvation, and after we have grown a little towards maturity.