Nicodemus, no doubt, was one of the fairest specimens of a man in Jerusalem in those days, yet he had to be born again, else he could not enter into the kingdom of God.
“But,” you may say, “I am not a Pharisee. I am a poor and miserable sinner—too bad to come to Him.” Well, turn to the woman of Samaria, and see what He said to her.
See what a difference there was between that publican and that Pharisee. There was as great a distance between them as between the Sun and the Moon.
One was in the very highest station, and the other occupied the very worst station. One had only himself and his sins to bring to God, and the other was trying to bring in his position and his aristocracy.
I tell you, when a man gets a true sight of himself, all his position and station and excellences drop.
See this prayer:
“I thank God.”
“I am not.”
“I fast.”
“I give.”