This is a warning to the end time church that these great moves of God must above all produce love or all is in vain. That is the test for those wondering about what is or is not of God. If not, then it is in vain. As an exercise you can list the aspects of love from this section of scripture in one column, and the fruit of the spirit in another column and begin drawing lines between them to match them. This kind of love cannot be counterfeited by discipline of the flesh, the flesh works on self preservation, this love is the opposite of that.
Love is first a spiritual thing.
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. The Greek word translated follow after is dioko . We are to desire spiritual gifts. This means to cultivate a positive emotional attitude and affection toward them. We are to want them.