So while we are on earth, let us repent.
For we are clay in the hand of the craftsman. Just as a potter, while making a vessel, reshapes it if it becomes misshapen or broken in his hands, but can no longer help it once he has put it into the fiery furnace, so also, while we are in this world, let us repent with all our heart of the evil things we have done in the flesh, so that we may be saved by the Lord while we still have time for repentance.
For after we leave this world, we can no longer confess or repent there.
Therefore, brothers, if we do the will of the Father, keep the flesh pure, and observe the Lord’s commandments, we will receive eternal life.
For the Lord says in the Gospel, “If you did not keep what is small, who will give you what is great? For I tell you that whoever is faithful in the least is faithful also in much.”
So this is what it means: “Keep the flesh pure and the seal undefiled, so that we may receive eternal life.”