I remember when I was very young in the LORD. I wanted nothing more than to see the manifested glory of God. I wanted to see miracles and all the gifts in operation. I especially wanted them operating at my will in my life.   

I am still very hungry for the things of God, but as I’ve grown in the Word, I’ve come to see that God is structured, and certain conditions must be right for specific spiritual laws to be effective. I’m not saying that everything is a formula—because it’s not—but many verses include instructions like, “If you will do this, I will do this.” A great example of direct instruction is found in 1 Corinthians 14:1 (NKJV): “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.”

The word pursue means to chase after or track down, like the police would a wanted felon. When police are looking for someone dangerous, they search high and low. The officer never stops thinking about the pursuit—meditating on the facts, reviewing evidence, and searching for clues day and night until the person is captured.

Our pursuit should be the same—only we are chasing after love, hopefully in all the right places. We know God is love. We know the Spirit (or Breath) of God lives in us. So why are we pursuing love like it’s missing? Most of us have found a mental assent to love, or an idea of what we think love is. We read the Word, get excited, and then forget how to act the moment someone ticks us off. But more than anything, we long to take hold of what God has for us. Right?

Do you remember the book God Chasers? At one point in my early salvation, it was my favorite book. All I wanted to do was chase God down. But honestly, I exhausted myself and ended up disappointed again and again. My pursuit of the supernatural manifestations of God became an unsolved mystery.

Why? The answer is simple.

If you start at 1 Corinthians 13:1 and read through chapter 14, it becomes clear: the love we are pursuing is the only law Jesus gave us.

(Mark 12:30–31) “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.” But what does that really mean?

Well, if you turn to Galatians 5 and read through to the fruit of the Spirit, you’ll find the same theme. Let’s dig into that for more clues in our pursuit.

Galatians 5:22–23 says: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

Remember, the word “Spirit” can also be translated as “Breath of God,” and the word “love” here is Agape—the highest, sacrificial, and unconditional kind of love. This love reflects God’s very nature and is the one law we are truly commanded to live by.

So we might read it like this: “The fruit of the Breath of God in me is sacrificial, unconditional love—from which flow joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such, there is no law.”

Do you see it? Bear with me just a moment—you're about to catch it!

This is the fruit of the Breath of God. This is what the Spirit produces: sacrificial, unconditional love. Out of that love—the Breath of God in you—flows joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Why is there no law against it?

Because this is the kind of LOVE that created the universe. It's about your words as much as your actions. This is how we pursue love: we purpose in our hearts to walk in the Spirit. We speak love in every situation—trials, tribulations, celebrations, worship. In all things, we speak what is true, pure, and of good report.

That is the “especially that you may prophesy” part of 1 Corinthians 14:1. It’s not only saying what God says—it’s doing what He does. It produces—and it produces quickly.

This is why Paul and Silas could sing with joy at midnight, even while chained, whipped, and locked in a filthy prison. They were abiding in faith, hope, and love. And remember—faith only works by love. Because they pursued Agape love, even the laws of nature couldn’t keep them in chains. As a result, the jailer and his whole household were saved. That’s God’s plan!

You see, we must pursue love and desire spiritual gifts—not the other way around. A friend of mine once said: “We’ve had it backwards. We’ve been pursuing spiritual gifts and only desiring love.” That’s exactly how I used to chase God. Not anymore—and I am not disappointed.

Today is a new day. I encourage you: Don’t just skim 1 Corinthians chapters 13 and 14, and Galatians 5. Meditate on them. Search the Scriptures. Let the Breath of God flow from your words and actions—and watch as spiritual gifts begin to manifest in your life like never before.

Love never fails.