If we are wondering whether it's okay to eat unclean animals or not, I came across this Scripture while reading the Bible last night. I think this should settle once and for all what is ok to eat.
1Ti 4:1-5 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
I agree, and it's verses like this (along with the verse that Paul mentioned that "one believes he may eat all things, another only herbs") that allows me to believe all things may be eaten.
While I agree that Kosher is not mandatory as that was part of the ceremonial Law signifying spiritual food and fellowship in physical manifestation, I just want to throw a thought at you for those Christian sects that do believe in Kosher and believe we must keep them. The clue is in the latter half about herbs. What the "Kosherists" are going to argue is that this verse you quoted are directed at those who would be only vegetarian and regard ALL meat as bad, whereas Paul was saying that "meat" (ie Kosher) is not to be abstained from. I don't think that's what he meant, but that's how some may interpret it. Just for a heads up.
Now, when I say that the standards of the Law are in effect yet, one must realize and understand that I mean that with the Spirit one will emulate the spirit of the Law. Let's take the 10 commandments. Jesus said that one could wrap it up with two simple ideas. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind, and likewise your neighbor as yourself. If someone truly loves God, they will not have other Gods before Him, take His name in vain, etc. Likewise I doubt one that loves his neighbor is going to kill him, steal from him or sleep with his wife. And the Sabbath, although technically still on Saturday is compared in the NT to the rest of faith (in Christ). The spirit of the Sabbath is to rest in him, otherwise those who do not will be "stoned" just as in the OT warning. They will perish. This is how Paul said that one man esteems one day above another (he is weaker in the faith and needs a physical day to worship extra on, but that's OK since he's still doing it in faith), and another esteems all days alike (i.e. every day is a Sabbath so each day is hallowed) because it's to the Lord. So, if one is resting, they are not breaking the Sabbath regardless if he does it every day because it can be argued that he's also resting on the physical Sabbath.
These are examples as to how the "law is in effect yet" and "the standards still apply" like I've been saying, and yet it is now done in the Spirit.