I’ve wrestled with this topic, too. If works are a sign of faith, it’s really easy to fall into anxiously doing lots of good works in the hope of proving one’s salvation (see the puritans). If works are only a sign of faith, then it’s also easy to write off this world (see modern evangelicals). I wonder if the way “out” is to define faith as a state of heart, not mental assent to a set of doctrinal statements (which seems to be the working definition for many). If we’re saved by a state of heart, well, good works will flow out of that heart naturally and “believing the right things,” proving faith with works, and writing off this world all become rather immaterial. I think. Maybe. Lol.