Sure seems like a law to me!
It’s more like throwing yourself on the mercy of the court.
Yes, in that sense it’s doing something, but not the same as trying to work off the debt or pay the penalty for having broken the law (or Law).
It’s an acknowledgment of guilt and asking for forgiveness to cancel the debt or pay the penalty that we can’t do ourselves.
If it is, then it is not the law of sin and death, but the law of the Spirit of life. (Romans 8:2.) It’s a different animal. The former stands afar off with arms folded demanding performance. The latter basically says, “I love you, come and receive My love. Ask of Me and let Me love you and help you, for I want to help you. Whole different ball game.