(2 Peter 1:5-9) ⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

Faith->                         Goodness

Goodness->                 Knowledge

Knowledge->               Self-Control

Self-Control->             Perseverance

Perseverance->           Godliness

Godliness->     Mutual Affection

Mutual Affection->            Love

This passage refers to what is to happen once a believer has been saved through acceptance of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit matures in the believer and here are what might be viewed as steps in the maturation process. A solid foundation on one step allows for secure ascension to the next. The highest step is love which happens to the ultimate command/desire of God, both for Him and others.

(Matthew 22:37-39) “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ³⁸ This is the great and first commandment. ³⁹ And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.