It appears that the distinction you're failing to make, is between the type of sin and the consequence of sin.
Men are the ones who categorize it into lessor sins, seemingly deserving of lessor punishment and greater sins, seemingly deserving of greater punishment.
The real issue is that , regardless of whether that were true or not, all sin has the same consequence. It all leads to separation from God. The wages are the same; death. And it all has the same solution; redemption by grace through faith in the FINISHED work of Christ on the cross. When we believe Him and believe IN Him, God does not count our sins against us and we become the righteousness of Christ.
Repent and throw yourself on the mercy of the court because there sure isn't any other way to have the debt we owe for our sins canceled out.
Not in Protestant Christianity. Once you become a Proddy, sin counts for naught. Talk about man made teahcings...
LOL!
I think the bulk of Luther's protest against Rome was the fact that Rome was making profit from sin by selling indulgences. Jesus apparently is an economic ignoramus (something one can afford to be when one can create ex nihlo and owns the cattle on a thousand hills) because He didn't see the loads of cash that could be derived by just simply selling forgiveness - instead He freely gave up His life in full payment for our sins.
Other than Sola Scriptura this is one of the largest differences between Christianity and Roman Catholicism - you folks are still paying for your own sins, albeit in Purgatory and Community Service rather than through the proxy of Rome.
It's a distinction without difference. Protestant theology says that, after being "saved," a believer cannot lose his salvation no matter what sin he commits, because his sins (past, present and future) have been forgiven. Therefore his sin counts for naught.