Daniel 1:6 KJV — Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
Daniel and his 3 friends stood out among the best of the best because of their cooperation with the Covenant.
All the children of Israel had a relationship with God because of God’s Covenant with Abraham. This Covenant predated them and was not based on what they did.
Their commitment to God didn’t create the Covenant, it just enabled them to cooperate with it and benefit from it.
It’s the same with us.
Jesus paid the price and did all the work.
Your cooperation just affects your experience of the finished work of Jesus.