Webster’s Dictionary defines revive: “to return to consciousness or life.” It can also mean, “to restore from a depressed, inactive, or unused state: bring back.” Obviously, for one to be revived, there must be some degree of life left in the body. e.g. To revive a drowning victim, does not mean to resurrect them from the dead, but to fan the dying embers until they burst into renewed life.
There is also the possibility of life in the spiritual realm. We know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is good news! It is the story of how He came to earth to purchase our pardon. Through His death, burial and resurrection we can be forgiven for our sins! “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).” This could be you! Through Jesus Christ, you can know God now and forever—a privilege that the Bible refers to as Eternal Life. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent (John 17:3).”
As in the physical realm, one can be alive spiritually, and yet appear lifeless (depressed, inactive, useless to himself and others). This happens when a believer allows his awareness of God’s presence to slip away because of pressing circumstances or the subtle emergence of sin. Almost overnight the vibrance of life has ebbed away. Fortunately, revival is as much a possibility in the spiritual realm as in the physical, even more so! It is not possible to lose spiritual life completely; there is always that vestige of life to be revived.
Have you been declared spiritually alive by God, the giver of life, but feel lifeless when it comes to spiritual awareness, and fellowship with Him? Take heart! Health and vitality can be restored through the process of properly ministering the Word of God—Revival!
But what about that individual who has never obtained spiritual life? “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6).” “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved (Acts 16:31).”