Complete self-surrender and unquestioning love become possible when the disciple achieves unswerving faith in the Master. Faith in the Master is an indispensable part of true discipleship.
Once God is realized there is no question of faith at all, just as there is no question of faith when a man knows himself to be a man.
Faith may express itself through diverse forms. The only differences in faith are differences of degree. Faith may be strong and vital, or weak and lukewarm. A weak and lukewarm faith does not carry a person further than adherence to rituals and ceremonies; but a strong and vital faith is bound to take the aspirant beyond the external forms of religion, helping him to eschew the husk and get at the kernel of true spiritual life.
-Extracted ‘Discourses’, 7th ed, p148