Nowhere does the scripture say that they are only evidence. They often are, but we are extolled to them. Simplify your life and do what the scripture says. Take James 2 and John 6 literally. It is clear that they were not written for any metaphysical or allegorical spin. So don't spin.
The notion that with the belief in the sacrifice of Christ you life gets on an autopilot is counterscriptural. If it were the case, 75% of the Gospel did not need to be written.
Most of the bible is written in metaphysical and/or allegorical spin.. The only way NOT to spin it is to provide personal opinion or the opinion of others.. Course the inherent spin is God's spin.. re-spinning (by humans) is done also..
How do you get the PURE stuff in the bible?..
Well that takes the Holy Spirit.. You know, THE REASON Jesus left the Holy Spirit to mop up after his ascension.. i.e. comforter/paraclete/Holy Spirit.. Else why was the "baton" passed to the Holy Spirit..
Truly, the fruits of the Spirit are the greatest evidence that we are saved and they are the "doing" of the Spirit Himself: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control (Gal 5, Matt 7)
All of these fruits are present in our words, demeanor, behavior towards others, etc. but we must not take credit for them.
The extremes which tend toward a denial of either the agency of God or the agency of man are heresy. Both sides can admit that it takes hard work, and a lot of it.