2 Peter 1:5-7

5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.

The term, “for this reason,” means in view of all God’s blessings (from the previous verses); that after one becomes a Christian and a partaker of the divine nature, and having precious promises (in the word of God), so that we may escape the corruption in the world, we also must apply “all diligence—that is, give our best effort to the following things: 1) in our faith (the Christian’s gift from God) supply moral excellence. We are to live a good life of godly excellence; and since this excellence is only the first level of virtue, I think it may be a behavior that has not yet changed the heart completely 2) In this godly excellence we are to produce knowledge (the knowledge of God). That is, we are to take time to study the word of God in a pursuit of the knowledge of God, and to apply it. 3) Then, if the Christian is guided by knowledge he will learn to control his bodily desires—getting rid of lustful thoughts and habits. 4) This self-control ought to continue on, which is perseverance. 5) If your moral perseverance is strong it will produce godliness—always being obedient to God. 6) In your godliness, God will lead you to be kind toward other believers. 7) And then you will grow to have genuine love for everyone, always putting their need above your own. I see this list of virtues (or qualities) as levels of Christian growth—all of which are necessary in order to produce spiritual fruit that God desires (look at verses 8-9).