We have a mathematical expression, inverse variation, to describe the relationship between two variables in which, if one increases, the other must decrease an equal amount to maintain an equality. This can be expressed mathematically as, xy = n, where x and y are variables and n is a constant. An example of this inverse relationship in nature is Charles' Law, which states that the solubility of a gas in a liquid varies inversely as the temperature. That is why we keep our soda pop in the refrigerator so that more carbon dioxide will be dissolved and it will have more fizz. There are many other examples; Boyle's Law states that the volume of a gas varies inversely as the outside pressure. We see this demonstrated by a balloon that expands as it ascends upward into a more rarefied atmosphere. Newton's Law of Gravitation states that the gravitational force on an object varies inversely as the square of the distance apart. Thus the gravitational force of the earth decreases rapidly with altitude.
The fundamental wave equation states that wave length and frequency vary inversely. Newton's Third Law of Motion states that mass and acceleration vary inversely. The momentum of a moving object is defined as the product of its mass and velocity, therefore mass and velocity have an inverse relationship A similar relationship occurs with the definition of kinetic energy, where energy varies inversely with velocity Theoretical physicists now consider the probability that time and space are inversely related. According to Einstein's Theory of Relativity motion through space affects time. A person sitting in a chair traverses time but not space. However, if that person is sitting in a rapidly moving spaceship, time is reduced, and what to him may be seconds, to a stationary person may be years. In fact, traveling at the speed of light, the traveler would arrive at any destination instantly.
In the spiritual world as well as the corporeal we also see this inverse relationship John the Baptist, the greatest of the prophets, was thrown into prison by King Herod, and his followers deserted him and became followers of Jesus. Rather than becoming angry and resentful, he humbly acknowledged that his popularity must necessarily decrease while Christ's increased. Similarly, we must denigrate our personal pride and esteem to the glorification of our Redeemer. The relationship of our importance to that of Jesus must be "a spiritually inverse variation."
