Sin and forgiveness
I was wondering whether Lutherans distinguish between God's forgiveness as judge, on the one hand, and his fatherly forgiveness on the other? When a Christian falls into sin and goes to God for forgiveness, is this him being saved all over again? Or is it more like he is restored unto fellowship? I'd hate to think that we lose salvation or even God's good love and favor every time we sin.
If you are asking whether Christians fall out of faith each time they sin, the answer is “no.” The apostle Paul describes Christians like himself losing daily battles in the hour of temptation, yet still enjoying the forgiveness of sins won by Jesus Christ (Romans 7).
This does not minimize the seriousness of sin, especially those sins that are deliberate and intentional. Following God’s directives, Christians take sin seriously. They avoid it as best they can, and when they are guilty of it, they confess it to God and receive the assurance of his forgiveness in faith (1 John 1:9).
The apostle’s point earlier in the epistle is that Christians “are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14). And it is gratitude for God’s gracious love that leads us to avoid sin and live for God (Romans 6:1-4).