How are faith and love connected in Sai Baba's teachings, and why are they so important for a devotee?

According to the teachings in the Sai Satcharitra, faith and love are deeply interconnected and essential for a devotee's spiritual progress. Chapter 48 explicitly states that love does not arise without faith (Bhava). It teaches that where there is faith, there is God, and love is fully present within the womb of faith. This combination is crucial because devotion resides where there is love, bringing with it peace and detachment. The text emphasizes that without love, knowledge is considered dry and useless, and spiritual practices like listening to or reading scriptures are fruitless. Ultimately, faith is presented as the fundamental cause for successfully crossing the ocean of worldly existence.