"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
Right there is the both/and I am talking about. It's the fullness of the faith.
Salvation leads to good works. Good works do NOT lead to salvation. You have it backwards. But you feel you are on a salvation journey. You don't believe that a person can KNOW they are saved. So those good works are important to you. I guess they are the difference in heaven or hell to you.