Take a look at the verses written below. All the qualities mentioned are important for our spiritual growth, and for our ability to reach out to other people. A person doesn’t always obtain these qualities in the order mentioned – faith doesn’t have to be perfect before goodness can be tackled, and you may have love, at least in some circumstances, even with very little knowledge. But these attributes do build on each other.
When learning to play the piano, or any instrument, a person has to first learn what the notes are, and then how to read music (unless you play by ear), and then what fingers to use to play sequences of notes. Then you practice. Beginners, and even advanced pianists, play scales after scales, to fine-tune their fingering technique. Finally, on top of that base, a pianist can learn how to express feelings and thoughts through a piece of music. For most people, a lot of foundation work is needed before they can play a masterpiece.
Our walk with God follows a similar process. God teaches us the basics first, letting us grow in strength and godliness before he gives us more difficult tasks. God doesn’t leave us to flounder helplessly here on Earth. He has given us his Word to teach us, and his Spirit to guide us, as we develop the foundation needed to serve him.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 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.
2 Peter 1:5-8