1- One MUST get the order correct: the free unmerited power of salvation comes FIRST, and is in no way caused or achieved by good works. Without stressing this we have added works to the Gospel and are in perdition. Salvation is adamantly Sola Fide, Sola Christos.
2- AFTER there is genuine salvation, fruits will follow. They may be few, or they may be many, but a totally fruitless conversion does not happen. Look even at the thief on the cross who converted. At first he cursed Christ along with the other thief and the crowd. Then, after conversion, that thief defended Christ publicly despite the agonuy of the Cross. Fruit did happen even in that short time.
3- While ONLY GOD Truly knows who is and is not converted Absolutely; He has given us a fairly reliable, though imperfect, guide: fruits. EVERYONE has faith in something. As we can not see faith, we can not ascertain Absolutely if it is Saving Faith or forgery. Very many people THINK they have Saving Faith and do not at all; so even the very person can not be sure for "the heart is desperately wicked, who can know it?"
We then have the imperfect but fairly reliable rule of examining the fruits. Does this person's actions support the ASSUMPTION that they have True Saving Faith? Our assesment does NOT guarantee salvation or not, not even our assesment of ourselves. It is however a fairly reliable guide. So what does that do to the perserverance of the saints? Or asked another way, why am I 100% certain I am Truly reconciled with God and NEVER ever need worry about condemnation? Well, I can't give a good answer.
As to how far to stress any one of the 3 above, that is more style than substance. Most of today's Churches stress Grace too much for my taste BUT it is my TASTE nothing more.
JR