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"As Pastors we need to keep in mind and teach God's people of the distinction between the love of God's benevolence or mercy, and his love of complacency of delight. 

Why is this distinction unfamiliar to us? Is it because we think of God's mercy, and the life of faith, of sanctification, as solely motivated by gratitude for what that mercy has procured? But there is more to it than this. God delights in his people (Psalm 147:11, 149:4). How so? When there is evidence of their Christ-like renewal. So Christians are to 'walk worthy of The Lord, fully pleasing to him,' following Christ who pleased His Father (2 Peter 1:17, Colossians 1:10, 3:20, 1 Thessalonians 2:4, 2 Thessalonians 1:11). God does not delight in his people 'just as they are' but insofar as they come, fitfully and imperfect, to take on a Christian character. Are there conditions required to quality people in coming to the Cross? Certainly not. The Lord receives us just as we are. Are there conditions for divine delight in his people? Most certainly. Is the pleasing of God the ambition of Christians today?"

Paul Helm