“Good works are a symptom of Salvation.”
True. But I would add that unsaved people do works that can be considered ‘good’ as from time to time as well.
The difference, I think, is motivation and who gets the glory.
At any rate, I know what you mean and I know you are right.
“Good” may not be secular. Things like Christian retreats, teaching Bible studies, worshiping, etc are all works that point toward Salvation.
A Christian and an Atheist should have different goals when helping the poor, etc. Supporting Medicaid Expansion is not a work pointing towards Salvation even though many of the my liberal friends think it is.