1 Corinthians 14:1a in the Amplified says, “Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire (this) love (make it your aim, your great quest…” Agape love is the evidenced fruit of the Spirit when we are controlled by the Holy Spirit. We cannot agape in our flesh. Flesh and agape are like oil and water. They do not homogenize. 

John 15:12 says, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” Loving others with God’s love touches the heart. We have His love the moment we are saved. Romans 5:5 says, “…the love of God has been poured in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

We cannot love the unthankful in our own strength. Luke 6:35 says, “…For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.” How can we emulate the Lord’s love? Galatians 5:16 says, “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”