Positional and Relational Forgiveness, what is the Biblical Basis? My question spawns from an explanation of 1 John 1:9 provided by the very popular protestant resource GotQuesitons.org. 

It seems to me that the answer given has holes in it, which I would like, filled.  I assume, I hope not incorrectly, that the article is based on a “once saved, always saved” (OSAS) position and the answer to my question should be from those who adhere to that position.

The web site gives the fallowing definitions in this article:


  “Positional” forgiveness, or judicial forgiveness, is that which is obtained by every believer in Christ.


This positional forgiveness is achieved when “Jesus has been accepted as your personal Lord and savior”  Correct me if I am wrong and I will adjust my understanding.


  “relational,” or “familial,” forgiveness—like that of a father and a son. For example, if a son does something wrong to his father—falling short of his expectations or rules—the son has hindered his fellowship with his father. He remains the son of his father, but the relationship suffers. Their fellowship will be hindered until the son admits to his father that he has done wrong. It works the same way with God; our fellowship with Him is hindered until we confess our sin. When we confess our sin to God, the fellowship is restored. This is relational forgiveness.


Relational Forgiveness, seems to:


Have no consequences towards salvation which is already achieved by personal forgiveness.
Fellowship seems to be a empty of any meaning regarding salvation.  


The possibility of entering into fellowship and out of it seems shadowy without consequence and meaningless.

When reading these explanations, they seem on the surface to address the issue but when you look deeper, for a scholarly biblical understanding, that being scripture citations explaining the position,  little explanation is provided.  

What is the Biblical basis for the two concepts of forgiveness? Specifically the understanding that being separated from fellowship with God, does not in any way interfere with a person's final dispensation.
Here is what Jesus said regarding fellowship:


  Luke 15:11-32 King James Version (KJV)
  11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
  
  12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of >goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
  
  13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his >journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
  
  14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he >began to be in want.
  
  15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him >into his fields to feed swine.
  
  16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did >eat: and no man gave unto him.
  
  17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's >have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
  
  18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have >sinned against heaven, and before thee,
  
  19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired >servants.
  
  20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, >his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and >kissed him.
  
  21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy >sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
  
  22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on >him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
  
  23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
  
  24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And >they began to be merry.
  
  25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the >house, he heard musick and dancing.
  
  26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
  
  27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the >fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
  
  28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and >intreated him.
  
  29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, >neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me >a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
  
  30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with >harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
  
  31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is >thine.
  
  32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was >dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.


Notice that positionally, both sons are always in good standing. The Father (God) never revokes what He has granted to both sons.

But the problem comes as each of them mistrusts the Father (God). Mistrust means to not believe. Each of them did not believe that God is good. And when they mistrust their Father (God), they began to find others to be the substitute god. That substitute god is usually self.

The younger son began to believe that in his own strength that he is going to make it somewhere far from His Father.

The older son began to believe that His Father is not good enough to throw a party for him. So he work hard (his god) but cannot enjoy the fellowship with His Father (God) who is physically very near.

Both fellowship could be restored and joy in the Holy Spirit is guaranteed as both of the sons began to "listen" to His Father (God) calling each one of them to draw near to Himself and begin again to trust Him as the "good" Father (God).