Is the law then opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could make alive, then righteousness would indeed come through the law. But the scripture has imprisoned all things under the power of sin, so that what was promised through faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. (Galatians 3: 21-22)

The law was appropriate to its time and place. The law is not contrary to God, no more than the earth is contrary to sun.

But the earth alone cannot bring us to abundant life. Under the law we are as seeds imprisoned - securely - in the cold ground of winter. But the warmth and rains of Spring - represented in the self-sacrificing love of Jesus - call us to break through the earth and reach toward the sun.

I agree with Paul that a seed which does not respond to warmth and rain by growing will fail to achieve its potential. But neither does the seed suddenly detach itself from the earth.