Philippians 2:1-4 1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Here Paul addresses the reason to do an inventory on a daily basis. In verse 1, he states that there are four things that persuade us.

1. If there be any consolation in Christ, which means a calling near, exhortation, admonition, encouragement, solace, that which affords comfort or refreshment (OLB). You have a calling, and Christ gives you comfort, not complacency.
2. Comfort in love, which means a persuasive address (OLB). Remember, the love of Christ constrains or compels you.
3. Fellowship (koinonia) of the Spirit, which means fellowship, association, community, communion; joint participation (OLB).
4. Affection and mercy. Affection means seat of the more tender affections: kindness, benevolence, compassion; hence our heart (OLB). Mercy means emotions, longings, manifestations of pity (OLB). Pity is to see a need and to supersede the limit of the needed thing; to give more than is needed in order to meet it. See John 3:16 for an example.

Verse 2 gives us our instructions. We are to be like-minded, having the same love and being united in mind and understanding. If we have a small build-up of resentment or difference of opinion that causes an irritation, we will be hindered from obeying his command. It gives us time to sort out our emotions and enables us to make a balanced judgment about issues or concerns. This principle allows us to confront ourselves.

Verse 3 nails our self-centeredness and pride. It tells us that we are not to be assertive or forward. It instructs us not to be conceited (from KJV: vain glory, groundless, self-esteem, empty pride, a vain opinion, or error (OLB)). It gives us the correct way of handling things and that is in the mindset of lowliness (having a humble opinion of one's self, a deep sense of one's (moral) littleness, modesty, humility, and lowliness of mind (OLB)). The word esteem means to lead, to go before (OLB). Therefore, we must take the initiative in making amends because we put others’ needs above our own.

Verse 4 continues the same thought and concludes with the fact that we love our own interests, and that these usually lie in the middle, or core, of our selfishness. In other words, God is telling us here to die to self and allow others to live.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Our confession causes growth and security in both our walk with the Lord, as well as with others. We are shown that God holds nothing back from us when it comes to forgiveness. It is once again an example that we are told to follow in our own lives. We are to forgive as much as we have been forgiven.

1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

It also gives us great comfort that in doing an inventory we can rest assured that we have our Savior working on our behalf to keep the unity of the Spirit, as well as the body. There will be no condemnation in the work of the Spirit as we do a daily inventory. Our hearts will be pure, and our consciences will be clean. Therefore, we will have peace with God and our fellow brethren.