Right, i see the the exclusion of works as actually meriting justification as extending beyond the law, which is used as the standard, not because another kind of works could make man actually deserving of eternal life, thus Titus 3:5 (written to Greeks i think) and Eph. 2:9 simply says works, but which “justify” in a sense as confirmatory of confessional-type complete faith. (Rm. 10:10) “Confession” is in many forms.
It seems to me that the works that demonstrate faith are those works that flow from faith naturally and evidently. We have faith and we’re (or should be) to action.
Salvation isn’t a payback or wages earned but rather the response of God being pleased by our faith.
As Paul said, “without faith, it is impossible to please Him well....” (Heb 10:6)