By the Character of the Obedience Rendered to the Word of God

The kingdom of heaven is of a higher order than any earthly kingdom. Whether we shall have a higher position or a lower position, will not be determined by our rank, wealth, or education, but by the character of the obedience rendered to the word of God. Those who have been actuated by selfishness and human ambition, who have been striving to be greatest, who have been self-important, who have felt above confessing mistakes and errors, will have no place in the kingdom of God. Whether men will be honored as members of the royal family of God, will be determined by the manner in which they bear the test and proving of God that is brought to bear upon them in this life. Those who have not been self-denying, who have not manifested sympathy for the woes of others, who have not cultivated the precious attributes of love, who have not manifested forbearance and meekness in this life, will not be changed when Christ comes. . . .

Chapter Title: Above Earthly Kingdoms
God's Amazing Grace, page 60, paragraph 3
Ellen G. White

For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither
was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have
hid myself from him:But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine
acquaintance.We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in
company.

Ps. 55.12