"Therefore we also have as our ambition...... to be pleasing to Him." 

  Many of the influences I've had in Christianity cast a dark light on all of humanity; the emphasis on our heart as being desperately wicked and all or works as filthy rags left me seeing God, not as my Father, but only as my judge. We, being evil, love our children always, even when they misbehave and are disobedient. Our human love is created in God's image, He loves us always, even when we are disobedient, and He is pleased when we do loving and kind deeds. He has designed us to sense His approval when we do for others. Even when we do a simple act of kindness to a complete stranger, we bear testimony in our hearts that God is pleased.